Pipe joint



Dec. 23, 1947. I `c, o, MoRRls 2,433,289

PIPE JOINT Filed Marlon 27, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 1 22 so V .231 INVENToR. cHARLEs o. Monats ATTORNEY Dec'. 23, 1947. vcz. of MORRIS v V 2,433,239

PIPE JOINT Filed March 27, 1945 sheets-sheet z ab I IN1/Emol; CHARLES 0. MORRIS ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PIPE JOINT Charles O. Morris, Van Nuys, Calif., assigner to The Garrett Corporation, Airesearch Manufacturing Company division, Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application Maren 27, 1945, serial No. 585,129

10 Claimsl This invention relates to connecting devices and particularly to devices for disconnectibly connecting secondary conduits to primary conduits at points intermediate the ends of the primary conduit. More concretely considered, the invention deals especially with devices for connecting take-ofi conduits, either electrical or hydraulic, to a feeder, comprising either an electrical bus or an hydraulic main, at a "stati0`n orYtake-oi 'point along the length of the feeder.

It is an object of the invention to provide a connector ofwthis general type which will be so constructed that it can be either temporarily 0r permanently clamped in place at any desired point on the primary conduit. The connector includes a construction adapted to enable takeoff conduits or conductors to be quickly yet positively connected with the primary conduit, either in series or in parallel therewith, and as quickly and easily disconnected therefrom when desired.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a connector of this nature in which the secondary or take-off conduits, although quickly connectible and disconnectible from the device, will be vconstrained to engage and cooperate with means on the clamp portion of the device which will establish a full and complete contact therewith throughout every unit of area of the connected surfaces, to provide enhanced electrical contact for all the take-off members, as well as establishf ing a secure andstrong connection thereof.

It is another object of the invention to pro'- vide a connector including a clamp for engaging the primary conduit in which corresponding parts of the clamp, including the take-offs, can be reversed and interchanged with each other, without requiring any alteration or any preparatory treatment of the parts, to enable repairs and replacements to be quickly made, thereby obviating time consuming interruptions in the operationfgao of either the feeder line or the take-off lines.

A further feature of the invention resides in the fact that the secondary, or take-off, conduits can, instead of being merely temporarily plugged onto the device, be permanently locked to the con-` nector body, itself established in a permanent location, by simply applying excess torque to the take-off conduit itself.

The other objects and advancements of the invention will be made manifest as this disclosure proceeds.

Several physical embodiments of the aforesaid and other inventive concepts are illustrated, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings; it is to be understood, however, that the in- 2 vention is limited in the embodiments which it can take, only by the scope of the sub-joined claims.

In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a primary.

and secondary conduit system incorporating the take-off connector of the present invention, parts thereof being shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a section on line 2-2 of Fig. l, sighting in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a section on line 3-3 of Fig. 1, sighting in the direction ofthe arrows;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of another embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 5 is a section on line 5--5 of Fig. 4, sighting in the direction of the arrows, and

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of still another embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the constructions illustrated in the drawings, al1 the embodiments shown include means for securely engagingv or clamping the connector to a feeder, such as a bus-bar or a main hydraulic line, at any desired point intermediate the ends of the primary conduit; means associated with the clamping means for leading away from the primary conduit, the particular kind of medium conducted thereby, and means carried by the last said means for releasably engaging at least one secondary conduit or take-off conduit. The means for engaging the primary conduit are preferably so constructed as to embrace same, and are clampingly but releasably engageable therearound. The means for entraining the medium from the primary conduit can be so constructed as to establish a connection with the secondary or take-off conduit in either a series-flow relationship or in a parallel-how relationship. In either event, the means on the connector for engaging the take-off conduits or conductors are so constructed as to enable the ready and rapid plugging of the take-off conduits onto the connector body and to enable an equally facile disconnection of these take-offs. These same last-mentioned means are also so constructed as to establish an enhanced electrical contact or fluid-tight contact with the take-off conduits. The joint thereby established is secure and rigid and not susceptible to structural failure.

In the particular embodiment shown in Figs. 1-3 inclusive, the structure comprises a feeder conduit or bus-bar 1, here shown as an electric cable, connected by the connector device of the present invention in series-flow relationship with two secondary conduits or take-off cables 8. ach of the cables B is in series with the bus memare substantially identical except for the fact that the half I2 bears or is associated with the hanger- In other respects, the clamp halves are each constituted by a block, eachhavingeacylindrica trough II extending axial'lytlifereof 'foritlie full" longitudinal extent of the bloclr;l 'Fliese troughs have a radius of curvature that can be varied inV stock lots to t various sizesxorfbusmembers.v

Each of the blocks I I and I2 bears, on its outer periphery, two substantially identical# semi-annular grooves I4. Each groove I4 is flanked on each side faceofthelblockby twoilang'es or webs |51 Each groove isi adapted' to receive 'a res curved fastener element I6, here shown'ras a U-bolt, seated by its curved portioninthe grooves in the member I2( and havingitstfreeendsprojecting a certain extentabove the topfaceof the associated' block"I I.

A plate I'I, of a shape-andi having dimensions, corresponding to the oit'erA at face of t either the member II or tlie` member :I2f'ismountedin this embodiment on the outerffac'e of 'the member i in contacting' pari'rllelis'l'n therewith; Thezplate IT has apertures I1l located atpoints adapted to register with and perm-itl tliefpas'sageof :the upper ends of the Ubolts2 Theaforesad parts are all assembled andfclam'ped together surrounding the bus 'l by means of fastener elements I6".

Each lateral' faceof theI lower' end; of the arm f3 bears a' post `I8'`projecting.substantially perpendicularlyv therefrom in opposite directions. Each post I'fhas entire-outer' surface formed into a spirally 'inclinediwedge ,I-9'.f Fitting around each post in loose -cont'act therewith, is'y a' .sleeve f6,- the' interior surface-r of Wlichi bears a. complementarily spirally inclined 'wedgefextending the entire length of the sleeve. Eachsleevee'also bearsdiametricallyopposed slotsv 2I therein, so formed andlocated Aas to renderl the sleeve errpansibleand contractable" bythe. application of force.

The inner end, or arm-end','of each post bears apolygonal abutment 22-1,"and-therouterend of each post bears a preventer disc 23"for maintaining the sleeve 2'0 `on the lpost against axial pulls which may be applied theretoin removing the take-on' conduits.

Each of the take-off'conduits-B terminates in a limiter socket 8', whereby the take-oli'conduit is adapted to beplugged over-the'terminal andthe sleeve `29,- and turned orl revolved'to causeY the sleeve 2% to reach upon the post I8 by virtue of the-buttress action of the respectively engaged threads, whereby there will be set up a plurality of radially outwardly acting forces-tending to cause the sleeve'to expand radially intov secure and rigid and'immobilizing contact with the inte'rior surface of the socket 8. This contact is established throughout the entire-length and circumference of the engaging members and 8 in such a manner'that equal forceis exerted against the member 8 in every equala-reathereof, and not, as heretofore the case, merely at one end or in restricted locations of both members. There is thereby established not' only a secure and' strong "connection between the member 8` and the bus 1, but by virtue of the augmented pressure eXertable by this combination of parts, a superior electrical connection over a large area is established, thereby decreasing the electrical resistance for a connection of a given Wattage.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 4 and 5 is illustratedxas including 'substantially the same clamping parts and arrangement thereof for detachably attaching the connector to a bus or feeder, but in this modiiication each of the blocks is identical, each bearing a terminal 30, each of which is identica1 to the other terminal. The terminals 30 arev constructed and function in a manner identical 'with that described with the terminals of Fig.' 1. They extend substantially perpendicularly from opposite outer faces of the clamp portion or the connector, and thus establish astructural arrangement whereby take-oil conduits similar to those indicated in Fig. 1 may be plugged onto the terminals 30. The circuit thus established-will, inA this instance, be of a parallel-flowY nature, instead of the series-parallel ow relationship established. by the construction-in Fig. 1.

The construction of both embodiments pro.- vides aY quick and positive instrumentality for making or breakingv a connection tothe bus. The take-oir conduits may be connected to the bus byf-a positivefgrip, Selb-wiping; fast-acting connection; In1case-itA isdesired to establish the take-olf circuit as a permanent one, it is only necessary to apply excessive torque to the members 8 and 8', as by means of an ordinary wrench. I nthis event, the g coacting threads willbe jammed and frozenfy ltogether by this action, in such a manner that the take-off conduits will be immobilized.l

A noteworthy feature of the electrical connectorshereinabovedescribed is the fact that most of the separate parts of the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1-'3 inclusive, and all of the parts illustrated. in Figs. 4 and `5, are completely interchangeablewith each -other without necessitating the slightest alteration in dimensions or fin shape of any of the parts and without any preparatory treatment Whatever. That is to say, the members IIa of Fig. Lllmay be respectively shaped and positioned, as may the members I6, so as to be reversible, the expansion plate I1 accompanying the shifted parts t0 their new position. The terminals 30 being identical in every respect, reversing the blocks Ila has no effect upon the adaptability of the connector.

In connection with the embodiment shown in Fig. l, unless it is absolutely lessential that the take-off conduits 810e suspended under the bus 'I, in the exact position shown, the member I2 cansatisfactorily be reversed into the position occupied -bythe member II, which can then be Aput vupon the bottom of the bus. The fastener I6 mayalso be inverted, along with the expansion plate I! and the fastener I6'. The Aterminals A being identical -in construction, take-oli conduits may be plugged onto them in their new location above the bus 'I and secured thereto in the same manner as hereinbefore described.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to connecting electrical take-oir conductors to an electric bus, the prinyciple of the invention may be equally well incorporated in hydraulic systems, involving the connection of an hydraulic take-off pipe to an hydraulic feeder pipe, as illustrated in Fig. 6. In this form of the invention, an hydraulic feeder line "Ib, having a suitable outlet Ic therein, is

connected to a `take-off hydraulic pipe 8b by means of a connector l0' similar in essence to the one illustrated in Fig. 1. This hydraulic connector comprises a block Hb constructed substantially the same as the block Il of Fig. 1 clamped to the pipe lb and to a complementary block lib in substantially the same manner as is the aforesaid connector, but including a gasket or other packing instrumentality 3l suitably located between the contacting faces of the blocks to eiectuate fluid-tight tightness of the blocks. The block 12b bears a depending arm I2C in the form of a dead-ended pipe or tube, having an aperture 33 near its lower end, threaded to receive a connector group somewhat similar to the connector group A of Fig. 1. In this embodiment however, the post I8 is hollow, but is otherwise constructed the same as the post I8. The sleeve 2!) however, may be identical with the sleeve 20 in Fig. 1, with a slot 3|l`b.

r.Ilo establish a fluid-tight take-off connection, the pipe 8b, which may be packed to the terminal and connector either by a packing 3| on the terminal or by packing means on the end of the pipe, is merely tted over the terminal and rotated a sufcient angular amount to set up the radially outwardly expanding action of the sleeve 2i) thereagainst, applying such additional torque however as may be necessary to insure a iiuidtight connection, if the conducted medium is a limpid highpressure uid.

I claim:

1. A device for disconnectibly joining a secondary conduit to a primary conduit that has an outlet for the conducted medium, including: means comprising a plurality oi blocks adapted for releasable engagement with the primary cnnduit around said outlet; means integral with one of the blocks of the engaging means for entrain ing said medium away from the primary conduit; and means carried by the last said means and including a part integral therewith and part movable on the first part for releasably en gaging a secondary conduit.

2. A device for disconnectibly joining a secondary conduit to a primary conduit that has an outlet for the conducted medium, including: means comprising a plurality of blocks for releasably and reversibly clamping the primary conduit around said outlet; means integral with one of the blocks of the clamping means for entraining said medium away from the primary conduit at substantially a right angle thereto; and means, including a part integral with one block and a part movably mounted on the first part, carried by the last said means for releasably engaging a secondary conduit.

3. A device for disconnectibly joining a secondary conduit, having an internally engageable cylindrical surface, to a cylindrical primary conA duit that has an outlet for the conducted medium, including: means adapted for releasable engagement with the primary conduit around said outlet; means on the engaging means for entraining said medium away from the primary conduit; and means including a part having an exterior cylindrical surface carried by the last said means for releasably engaging the interior surface of said secondary conduit.

4. A device for disconnectibly joining a secondary conduit to a primary conduit that has an outlet for the conducted medium, including: means adapted for releasable engagement with the primary conduit around said outlet; means on the engaging means for entraining said medium away from the primary conduit; and means carried by the last said means for releasably engaging at least one secondary conduit, said means for engaging the secondary conduit including a male member having a spiral wedge on its exterior surface and carrying a longitudinally slotted sleeve-like member having a complementary spiral wedge on its contacted interior surface.

5. A device for disconnectibly joining a secondary conduit to a primary conduit that has an outlet for the conducted medium, including: means adapted for releasable engagement with the primary conduit around said outlet; means on the engaging means for entraining said medium away from the primary conduit; and means carried by the last said means for releasably engaging at least one secondary conduit, said means for engaging the secondary conduit including a -male member having a spiral wedge on its exterior surface and carrying a longitudinally slotted sleeve-like member having a complementary spiral Wedge on its contacted interior surface, the inner end of said sleeve bearing a flange adapted to be abutted against the adjacent portion of the device to effectuate outward radial expansion of said sleeve member against said secondary conduit.

6. In a device for connecting secondary conduits to a primary conduit intermediate the ends of said primary conduit: a clamp for enclosingly engaging the periphery of a portion of the length of the primary conduit and including identical halves each having an inner semi-cylindrical surface; semi-annular troughs on the outer surface of each half; return bend fasteners having a portion thereof seated in the troughs in one of the halves and having their ends protruding beyond the exterior face of the other half, and releasable anchoring means on said ends, the clamp halves, fasteners, and anchoring means being reversibly and interchangeably shaped and located with respect to said primary conduit.

'1. In a device for connecting secondary conduits to a primary conduit intermediate the ends of said primary conduit: a clamp for enclosing the periphery of a portion of the length of the primary conduit and including identical halves each having an inner semi-cylindrical surface; semi-annular troughs on the outer surface of each half; return bend fasteners having a portion thereof seated in the troughs in one of the halves and having their ends protruding beyond the exterior face of one of said halves; a plate on said exterior face of said clamp half; said plate having respective apertures therein in registry with the respective ends of the fastening means; and releasable anchoring means on the ends of said fastening means.

8. A device for disconnectibly connecting a sec ondary conduit in series ow relationship with a primary conduit that includes a flow outlet area, including: means including a pair of like blocks for attachment to said area to establish flow therefrom; means integral with one block for directing flow from the attachment means at an angle greater than an acute angle and less than an obtuse angle; and a terminal integral with and projecting at an angle from the last said means, said terminal including an external thread having threaded thereon an expansible sleeve with an externally cylindrical surface for releasably gripping the interior of said secondary conduit and holding same in series ow relationship with the primary conduit.

9. A device for disconnectibly connecting a plu.

7 ralityofv conduits-1nfseriesfparallel or parallelflow relationshipwith aprimary conduit that includes a ow outlet;v area', including: means for attachment' to said area to establish flovvv therefrom; and terminal means projecting substantial- 5 1y at right angles from said attachment means, each ofy said terminal means including means integral with parts of the attachment means and carrying an expansible device for releasably gripping the interior of a secondary conduit and'hold` ing same in series-parallel or parallel-flow relation tosaid primary conduit.

10.- A device for disconnectibly joining a secondary conduit to a primary conduit that has an outlet for the conducted medium, including: means adapted for releasable engagement with the primary conduitA around'said outlet; means on the engaging meansrfor entraining said medium avvayfrom theY primary conduit; andk meansA carried by. thelast said meansfor releasably'engag-ing 2 8': a's'econdaryv conduit,- saidfmeans-gfor engaging said'. secondaryl conduit' including a; malevmember have ing a series of exterior annular Wedging surfaces disposed along its exterior surface and carrying a longitudinal slotted sleeve-like member having complementary interior annular wedging surfaces disposed along its contacted interior surface.

CHARLES O. MORRIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,162,595 Forgey Nov. 30, 1915 589,216 MCKee Aug. 31, 1897 1,570,887 Graves Jan. 26, 1926. 615,767 Wade Dec. 13, 1898 0 1,459,030 Mueller June 19, 1923 

